Woman Falls Down Garbage Chute, Leg Crushed by Trash Compactor

SALEM, MA—A Salem woman had her leg crushed by a trash compactor after she fell down a garbage chute while trying to retrieve a pair of keys for $20, Salem Police Capt. Conrad Prosniewski confirmed.

The unidentified woman, who is 38, is expected to survive, but has reportedly suffered a severe leg injury.

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Emergency personnel were called to Loring Towers at around 5:05 a.m. Monday morning for reports of a woman who fell down a trash chute.

According to police reports, the man's keys had fallen down the chute when he threw a bag away. The man then went up to the woman's apartment and offered her $20 to help retrieve his keys.

The man first tried to lower the woman down the chute by holding her feet and dipping her head-first, according to the report. The second attempt involved tying a sheet to the woman, but it ripped and she fell three stories, where the trash compactor later turned on causing the injury.

Prosniewski also told Patch that no criminal charges are currently being filed.

Joe Lipovich, Patch Staff contributed to this report.